---
title: "Endophthalmitis (infection inside the eye)"
description: "What endophthalmitis is, why it is an emergency after eye surgery or penetrating injury, and why immediate treatment matters. Clinically reviewed."
url: https://eyehealthguide.org/conditions/endophthalmitis/
source: Eye Health Guide
licence: "General information only. Cite the URL and the named medical reviewer."
---

Condition

# Endophthalmitis (infection inside the eye)

Medical reviewer [Mr Mohamed Mohyudin](https://eyehealthguide.org/reviewers/mohamed-mohyudin/)· Last recorded site review July 6, 2026

### About this review

This page inherits the site’s previous review record. A separate, current article sign-off has not yet been recorded.

[How review works](https://eyehealthguide.org/reviewers/) · [Official biography & credentials](https://mohamedmohyudin.co.uk/author/mohamed-mohyudin/)

Quick answer

Endophthalmitis is a severe infection inside the eye, most often after cataract surgery or a penetrating eye injury. It causes worsening pain, redness and vision loss and is a sight-threatening emergency needing immediate hospital treatment with injected antibiotics.

### On this page ⌄

1. Your next step
2. What it is
3. Warning symptoms
4. Causes
5. Treatment
6. Related conditions
7. Frequently asked questions

## What it is

Endophthalmitis is infection of the vitreous gel and tissues inside the eye. Unlike conjunctivitis on the surface, it threatens vision rapidly and needs emergency specialist care.

## Warning symptoms

Symptoms often develop within days of surgery or injury.

- Increasing pain and redness after eye surgery
- Rapidly worsening vision
- Swelling of the eyelids
- Floaters and light sensitivity

## Causes

It is most associated with cataract surgery, other intraocular surgery, injections into the eye, or trauma that breaches the eye wall. Sterile technique makes it rare, but when it occurs prompt treatment is critical.

## Treatment

Emergency hospital care includes samples to identify organisms and antibiotics injected into the eye, sometimes with vitrectomy surgery to remove infected gel. Outcomes are better with immediate treatment.

## Related conditions

## Frequently asked questions

### Is endophthalmitis an emergency?

Yes. Worsening pain, redness and vision loss after eye surgery or injury needs emergency hospital eye care immediately.

### How common is endophthalmitis after cataract surgery?

It is rare thanks to modern sterile techniques, but when it happens it is serious, which is why any sudden worsening after surgery must be reported at once.

### Can endophthalmitis be cured?

Prompt treatment with injected antibiotics and sometimes surgery can save vision in many cases, but delay significantly worsens outcomes.

Your next step

## Take this to your appointment

Write down what has changed, when it started, your current medicines and the questions you want answered. Take these to your eye-care appointment.

Sudden loss of sight, severe eye pain or a dark curtain across vision needs immediate assessment. Do not wait to complete a worksheet.

## Sources for this information

These references support the information on this page. Follow the linked source for its full context.

- [Endophthalmitis - Moorfields Eye Hospital](https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/eye-conditions/endophthalmitis)